#How to Be a Master Detective: A Yakou Furio Case

[spankymerve]

Video Game Diary: June 2023

This is going to be a long one, folks. I completed four games in June—well, three games and one DLC—and I have a lot to say about them (well, less to say about the DLC, but you know what I mean). So let’s just skip the preamble and dive right in. Continue reading Untitled

[cochidinh]

There are a total of 6 writers involved in 100line. Read more about this on Kyohei Koyama's blog (He is the person in charge of writing the Hiruko novel)

See more:

Akihiro Togawa (Persona 5 Tactica;...)

Yoichiro Koizumi (Ultra Despair Hagakure; How to Be a Master Detective A Yakou Furio Case;...)

Isshinonon

[elina-sakura]

Rain Code: Spin The Wheel

So a while ago, I did a Spin the Wheel concept of my own with the Rain Code cast that appeared in the main game. And it turned out interesting, so I’ve decided to post my results, along with some ramblings about the said results. Spoilers for Rain Code.

Protagonist: Fubuki Clockford

Support (Shinigami): Kurumi Wendy

Support (Informant): Dr. Huesca

Chapter 0 Cast

Yakou Furio

Zange Eraser

Waruna (hitwoman)

Yuma Kokohead

Pucci Lavmin

Nocturnal Detective Agency

Chief Kurane

Makoto Kagutsuchi

Iruka

Guillaume Hall

Halara Nightmare

Peacekeepers

Director Margulaw

Vice Director Yomi Hellsmile

Shinigami (Chapter 0)

Zilch Alexander (Chapter 1)

Karen (Intern)

Aphex Logan

Chapter 1 Cast

The Priest

Melami Goldmine

Seth Burroughs (The Nail Man)

The Nun (The Copycat)

Chapter 2 Cast

Martina Electro

The Servant (Victim)

Icardi

The Worshipper

Chapter 3 Cast

Shachi

Dominic Fulltank

Servan

Yoshiko (Murderer)

Swank Catsonell (Victim)

Chapter 4 Victim

Desuhiko Thunderbolt

Vivia Twilight (motivator for murder/died from Amaterasu/Peacekeepers)

!!Rambling Time!!

I’m happy one of the NDA is the protagonist, and it’s Fubuki! And her Shinigami is Kurumi, so it’s an adorable, wholesome girl squad! We can even get fun RPG references, and Kurumi can do wholesome games for clues. But also moral conflict because neither would be up for murdering, and Fubuki feeling guilty for relying on Kurumi to solve the mysteries in exchange of the culprits’ souls.

With how the criminals from Chapters 0-2 (basically three chapters), there would be a build up of the girls slowly accepting that perhaps culprits dying is fine as long as they no longer hurt people for their own benefits (yes, I am going to frame Chapter 2 less sympathetic as opposed to in-game, which makes it the turning point of the girls starting to accept that the end justifies the mean, before that is once again challenged in Chapter 3).

It’s funny how the three Aetheria Trio somehow still ended up being murderers at the end of the day (or two out of three if we count killer!Waruna being an imposter tho).

I was so sad when I spun the wheel for Chapter 0, and both Yuma and Yakou ended up in the cast, meaning they die😭 Also, Pucci and Zange could not escape their fates.

Though Yuma ending up as a Chapter 0 victim actually sets up a great characterization for Makoto in this AU (who I’ve decided will be the complex, Ch 4 character because I say so). Where in this Swap AU, Makoto and Yuma are twin brothers who worked as Master Detectives in the WDO. So when Yuma ended up dying on the Amaterasu Express, it broke Makoto. To the point he wears a mask to hide his face because he has the exact same face as his now late brother he can’t bear to see anymore. Perhaps he’s even antagonistic towards Fubuki because she survived the Amaterasu Express Massacre, and is resentful how she’s the one who gets out alive, like she’s been exchanged to live instead of his precious twin. Maybe Chapter 4, he decides to exact his revenge on the Peacekeepers for all the murder they have done, including Yuma, and end it once and for all. And considering he has Coalescence as well, perhaps he may even get the same power as Fubuki and end up literally clashing swords in the Mystery Labyrinth.

Funny story, when I was spinning for the swap!NDA, I was getting like all females with only Makoto as the only male, and I was kind of praying to the wheel to give me another male, or at least another gender. And guess who the last gender that ends up joining (or staying in this case) in the NDA.

Dr. Huesca being the informant actually sounds right when you think further on it. Like perhaps his characterization can be based on the glimpse heel-turn self we’ve seen from the recorded video, where he once again (or perhaps remembered) how far his experiment had went and decided to call it quit. He’s still a mad scientist, but now has a (very shaky) moral compass and is more morally grey.

Kurane being Chief is also very fitting because it was mentioned/implied she has some interest in detective works (I understand it’s probably more so playing as a Detective as a character, but I hc she has interest in detective work as well). But also kind of funny and sad because the NDA now has a prodigal child detective who is a theater kid and obsessed with romance novels as their only Detective Chief in Kanai Ward. And to add relationship between her and Vivia, perhaps Vivia took Kurane in as her apprentice when she was younger, which helped lead to her becoming a WDO Detective, and leading up to her becoming the Chief when Vivia dies during an investigation on Amaterasu. Or, if I want to be original, perhaps Vivia is separated from his soul and body, and they’re both being preserved in Amaterasu. Who knows🤷🏼‍♀️

And Yomi Hellsmile is honestly really fitting as Vice Director because he can be that sadistic, power-hungry we know and love. Desiring to become the next Director of the Peacekeepers and trying to off Director Margulaw. I even got an idea that perhaps maybe he teams up with a certain, grieving Master Detective to help overthrow Margulaw (because I kind of imagine the CEO would not be dumb enough to give someone like Yomi power like that). Not entirely sure if I want to make Margulaw a corrupt Director or a benevolent Director (or in-between) because I want to avoid making his characterization from being too close to my Director Yakou’s characterization I’m currently/planning.

Finally, for Chapter 3, I’m imagining how it can play out is that Swank Catsonell was once the leader of the Resistance, but he was terrible at it. He was selfish and greedy and was fine with causing more destruction that leads to more problems for Dohya District. Shachi, one of the Resistance leaders, was against Swank’s methods and was planning to overthrow him, alongside Dominic Fulltank and Yoshiko. However, after Swank nearly went too far on something (maybe having a hand in the NDA blowing up or something), Yoshiko decides to take action and kill Swank herself. After she dies, Shachi is the one who gives the request that leads to motivate him to become the new Resistance Leader.

[hopeymchope]

There is a theory about Yakou Furio being Shuichi’s uncle. Do you think it’s possible?

That's really interesting... I've seen multiple thoeries about "Master Detective Archives" taking place in the future of the Hope's Peak timeline, either decades or a century after DR3. But if we were to instead link Rain Code to V3 — which takes place either FAR later after DR3 orrrrrr — in the the far more likely/plausible scenario IMO — in its own separate universe, then does that line up?

The most basic details about Shuichi's uncle as stated in V3 could fit, sure. We only know that his uncle A) ran his own detective agency and B) usually took on pretty small cases like accusations of infidelity or lost items. That certainly aligns with our boy Yakou.

The larger universe of V3 aligning with the universe of MDA is... a bit trickier. Even knowing that Tsumugi is very likely full of shit about a great many things, it's hard to dodge the whole "Danganronpa is a broadcasted show using real (abducted) people" issue. But hey, maybe that's why we can fid a pic of Monokuma and a display of his famous "evil eye" in Rain Code; those could be references to the show, maybe some leftover advertising. But I have to assume there isn't currently a murderous TV program running in the world of MDA. We also have to assume that Tsumugi was lying that this world embraced Danganronpa because crime and murder are exceedingly rare, etc etc. Crime clearly ISN'T rare in a world where Master Detectives are a big damn deal. Furthermore: Given how young Yakou Furio still is, if he was Shuichi's uncle, then "Danganronpa" couldn't have ended until pretty recently. And if there ever was such a program, it probably wasn't successful with the MASS MARKET crowd, because that seems like something that would definitely be a major pall hanging over ALL OF SOCIETY. Maybe it was underground/dark web shit, but still had a surprisingly large audience or something? Or we could argue that we don't see THAT much of the world outside of Kanai Ward, and Kanai Ward was isolated away from Danganronpa's reach... ?

Yeeeaaah, you can see how this gets trickier the more we try to mesh the worlds together. It's not impossible! But it takes some finessing of the information we have. We have to start assuming Tsumugi was lying about certain things we can neither prove or disprove in any fashion based on V3's available evidence. Which, based on her track record, is definitely believable. But... it gets tougher the more you think about it.

I'd rate this theory as "Not impossible, but... "

[raincode-archives]

Chapter 5 Character Profile Descriptions

Yuma Kokohead A Trainee Detective with amnesia. His small build is unsuitable for physical confrontation. A lack of self-confidence results in a tendency to frequently complain. However, he posses a strong sense of justice and selflessly tries to help anyone in need.

After exposing the truth behind the incident at the Amaterasu lab, he took Yakou's life with his own hands. Though filled with anguish, he remembered Yakou's last words, and vowed to lay bare the truth behind Kanai Ward, however cruel it may be.

Yakou Furio A Kanai Ward native and head of the Nocturnal Detective Agency. He lives in an unhealthy, unkempt, and unsanitary lifestyle. He understands the thread the Amaterasu Corporation Peacekeepers pose, but only thinks of how to avoid them. Even so, he cares a great deal for his companions.

In order to avenge his wife who was murdered four years ago, Yakou sacrificed his life to murder Dr. Huesca at Amaterasu's lab.

Halara Nightmare A Master Detective dispatched to the Nocturnal Detective Agency by the World Detective Organization. The sharp-witted and attractive detective has no specified gender. Halara is always cool under fire and has solved many difficult cases through precise judgement. Although Halara only believes in money, it's willingly spend on things deemed necessary.

Halara's Forte is Postcognition, the ability to see how a crime scene appeared at the time it was first discovered.

Halara stayed by Yakou's side as he lied dying in the Amaterasu lab, and tried to keep him alive until Yuma and the others returned.

After seeing Number One's contempt for Yakou's death, Halara voiced strong emotions not typically shown.

Desuhiko Thunderbolt A Master Detective dispatched to the Nocturnal Detective Agency by the World Detective Organization. His goal is to become famous as a mystery-solving superstar detective. He's an optimistic ladies' man whose "investigations" usually entail trying to pick up girls around the city. These attempts are rarely successful due to his goofball nature, though he doesn't mind. Uncomfortable around blood and corpses, he prefers undercover investigations to those involving murder.

After providing him the opportunity to sneak around Aetheria Academy, he began referring to Yuma as "my man."

His Forte is Disguise, the ability to change his voice, appearance, and build, visually and mentally masquerading as the targeted person. The backpack he always carries is required to use this ability.

After seeing Number One's contempt for Yakou's death following the Amaterasu lab incident, he nearly exploded with rage and disgust.

Fubuki Clockford A Master Detective dispatched to the Nocturnal Detective Agency by the World Detective Organization. Although she's a beauty with outstanding style, her airheaded tendencies can frustrate the people she talks to. She ran away from her pampered life as a lady of the world-famous Clockford family to seek adventure.

While solving the Mystery Labyrinth, she lashed out at what she thought was the abhorrent "God of Darkness." She later realized that Shinigami had Yuma's complete confidence and tried to befriend the death god.

Her Forte is Time Leap, the ability to rewind time and redo things. However, if time has been turned back once, it cannot be turned back beyond that point.

Desperate to save the dying Yakou during the Amaterasu lab incident, she repeatedly turned back time. But unable to go back to before he was attacked, she felt utterly helpless.

Upon Yakou's death, she wailed uncontrollably.

Vivia Twilight A Master Detective dispatched to the Nocturnal Detective Agency by the World Detective Organization. He has pale skin and an aesthetic atmosphere about him. Often lying down in various places, his personality can be described as self-indulgent.

His Forte is Spectral Projection, the ability to maneuver in a ghost form free of his flesh, ignoring the laws of physics. In addition to being completely invisible in this state, he is able to pass straight through walls and other solid objects.

Having enjoyed the time spend at the agency with Yakou, he refused to let the truth of Dr. Huesca's murder come to light despite knowing the identity of the culprit. He turned against Yuma inside the Mystery Labyrinth, but after witnessing Yuma's resolve to face even the most bitter facts, he decided to expose the truth.

When he found out Yomi was manipulating Yakou, he felt immense frustration and hatred.

Number One Head of the World Detective Organization. His true name is unknown, and he is almost never seen in public.

After the destruction of the WDO building, his whereabouts are unknown.

Yomi Hellsmile The director of the Amaterasu Corporation Peacekeepers. Despite having the face of a handsome young ma, he is cold-hearted and cruel, finding joy in the misfortune of others, especially from miseries he devised himself. He holds great power within Amaterasu and treats his underlings like expendable tools.

He conspired with Dr. Huesca to secretly make deals with corporations outside of Kanai Ward, but when the doctor double-crossed him, Yomi spurred Yakou into murdering him. After capturing Yuma and the others, Yomi planned to bury them along with the truth, but Makoto appeared with incriminating documents that led to Yomi's downfall. He was then arrested and taken away by Martina.

Martina Electro The vice director of the Amaterasu Corporation Peacekeepers. A tall, elegant, intelligent, bespectacled woman who ruthlessly crushes the opposition and has no mercy for those who defy her.

Makoto saved her moments before her execution, and she sought to deliver judgement on Yomi for his crimes.

After all of Yomi's misdeeds were revealed and he was arrested, Martina took responsibility for her own complicity, resigned from her position, and left.

Makoto Kagutsuchi The always-masked CEO of Amaterasu Corporation. He lives on the top floor of Kanai Tower. While Yomi is ostensibly his employee, the two are always at each other's throats. His tendency to speak in riddles make it difficult to ascertain his true nature, but he seems to have ulterior motives.

Acting in secret behind the scenes of the Dr. Huesca murder case, he secured documents that lead to Yomi's downfall. He intends to restructure Amaterasu and the Peacekeepers to bring about a change in the winds of Kanai Ward.

The gift he gave Yuma caused all the Master Detectives gathered at the Nocturnal Detective Agency to pass out.

Dr. Huesca Chief researcher and expert weapons developer at Amaterasu Lab. An arrogant man who believes his intellect is unrivaled. He hates having his precious research time interrupted and allows no one to enter his critical labs.

He colluded with Peacekeeper Director Yomi to secretly sell off Amaterasu technology, planning all the while to double-cross Yomi and flee Kanai Ward. Attempting to use the turmoil caused by the hitman to fake his own demise, he was instead stabbed and killed by Yakou, who sought revenge for his murdered wife.

Yomi prompted Yakou to commit the murder in order to get rid of the backstabbing Dr. Huesca while keeping his own hands clean.

Fink the Slaughter Artist A skilled assassin who works in Kanai Ward. As very few witnesses have come forward, it's unknown if this hitman is male or female, an adult or even a child. The assassin is certainly effective, boasting a 100% completion rate.

Fink was hired by Yakou, with Yakou himself as the target. Yakou asked the hitman to kill him to hide his involvement as the murderer of Dr. Huesca.

Behind the scenes, Makoto arranged for Yakou to hire the hitman. Makoto permanently silence the hitman once his work was complete. (Acquired by interacting with zombified Fink?)

[https-simphub]

HERE ME OUT. YAKOU AND SHUICHI MAY BE RELATED IN SOME WAY.

[‼️This post will be contained with SPOILERS so BEWARE‼️]

Okay, so either my brain went giga chad or my delusional thoughts took over again. Either way, I just wanted to post my theory on here. (I literally took screenshots and thought hard about this lol.) Also, I know I'm probably not the only one who had this theory so I apologize if you made a similar post already!

If you want to leave comments agreeing or disagreeing with my theory, by all means go ahead! <3

‼️LET'S BEGIN‼️

If you played or watched someone played all of the Danganronpa games (like myself) in Danganronpa V3, when they revealed Shuichi's Fabricated Past (now hearing the word fabricated made me rethink my entire theory...I may look like a fool by the end of this but I'll continue.) we learned that Shuichi used to live with his uncle and wife, working as his uncle's assistant in his detective agency.

HMM. Who owned a detective agency and had a wife??? Chief Yakou! (I won't get into the wife thing, iykyk.)

If you've read the digital prequel novel "How to Be a Master Detective: A Yakou Furio Case", it tells us how younger Yakou became a detective. I won't spoil the whole story but I took a few screenshots from the novel for this "theory". Mitsume, his old boss who owned the agency building before stopped running it because he got married and moved away from Kanai Ward.

After his boss left, leaving the agency to dust away, Yakou continued running the agency, obviously continuing to be a detective. I'm guessing Yakou then met his wife shortly after (or years later). It was never revealed if Yakou has any siblings but if he does, then he's definitely the uncle Shuichi is talking about.

I'm saying definitely because there's some similarities.

1. Yakou worked as an assistant detective when he was younger, Shuichi worked as an assistant detective for his uncle (and was probably taught how to be a detective from him). 👀

2. The whole "lived with his uncle and wife" just adds up to Yakou so much to me as I've stated previously.

3. The color of Yakou and Shuichi's hair are a bit similar if you think about it. When you search up "shuichi's hair color" on google, this comes up (not saying that google is always right). I've always thought his hair was just black but after a while I noticed some blue in it.

Yakou's hair is a lighter (bolder?) dark blue from Shuichi's. Shuichi obviously got his hair color genes from either his mom or dad if they themselves have dark blue hair. OR you never know, what if Shuichi inherited Yakou's hair color? It's not uncommon for you to look more like your other family members than your parents. So...

We've reached the end of my theory, I have nothing else to explain. Thank you for reading if you made it this far! I know this theory is dumb but I just think it would be wholesome if Yakou is Shuichi's uncle. Just imagine if Shuichi worked as Yakou's assistant detective in Kanai Ward (years before the blank week happened) then he travels somewhere else (where Danganronpa V3 takes place) then travels back to Kanai Ward to visit his uncle he hasn't seen in a long time and finds out the detective agency that was once a building now is a submarine. Plus I just want Shuichi and Yuma to meet and become friends cause I love them both as detective protagonists!

[satoshi-mochida]

Publisher Spike Chunsoft and developer Too Kyo Games have detailed the bonus digital novel included with initial prints of the Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE‘s physical standard and limited editions.

Get the details below.

How to Be a Master Detective: A Yakou Furio Case

The digital novel How to Be a Master Detective: A Yakou Furio Case is an original, newly written story about the younger days of Yakou Furio, the head of the Nocturnal Detective Agency, and serves as a prequel to the main story of the game. It contains no spoilers and can be read before playing the game. The digital novel is supervised by Kazutaka Kodaka, main scenario writer for Master Detectives Archives: RAIN CODE, and written by Yoichiro Koizumi.

Synopsis

Set in Kanai Ward, Yakou Furio is a young man who drifts day to day with no prospects for advancement. His fate is changed when he meets a Master Detective with the ability to see the future…

Initial prints of Master Detectives Archives: RAIN CODE standard edition and Mysteriful Limited Edition will come with a printed voucher code for the bonus digital novel. The printed voucher code will be included in the physical packages of both editions.

*Art not final. Designs, contents and names are subject to change without prior notice.

This is a digital novel. A download code for the digital novel will be included in initial game printings.

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE is due out for Switch on June 30.